CNN confirmed today, Wednesday, that Israel used American-made GBU-39 CDP bombs to bomb the displacement camp in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, last Sunday evening, stressing that such bombs cannot To be used in the area targeted by the Israeli army.
By analyzing a video clip circulated on social media from the scene of the incident based on confirmations from explosive weapons experts, the network stressed that the tail of the American bomb, which remains after its explosion, was found at the site of the target.
The network quoted a weapons expert as saying that the bomb – manufactured by Boeing – is a high-precision munition designed to attack “targets of strategic importance,” noting that using a munition of this size would lead to dangers in a densely populated area.
The network explained – quoting another specialist – that Israel could have used another model of the same bomb that could reduce the loss of civilian lives, but it did not do so.
Neglect of civilians
In turn, the New York Times quoted a retired American officer as saying that Israel’s use of this type of bomb indicates its continued neglect of protecting civilians.
The newspaper also quoted a former advisor to the Pentagon and the State Department as saying that the Israeli decision to strike Rafah at that time raises questions about whether the Israeli army was aware of possible human casualties or failed to monitor civilians, and thus indicates potential problems in its precautionary measures.
The massacre committed by the occupation in an area that it had classified as “safe humanitarian” claimed the lives of 45 Palestinians – most of them women and children – most of whom were burned to death, while dozens suffered severe burns and amputations, amid the inability of hospitals to provide treatment.
Weight of bombs
Occupation army spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed yesterday, Tuesday, that the bombs he used to bomb the displaced persons’ camp in Rafah “would not have caused these large fires if there were not Hamas weapons depots nearby,” saying that he was targeting fighters in the movement, according to his claim.
He added that the weight of the two bombs used to bomb the place was 17 kilograms, but Haaretz newspaper reported, quoting a military analyst, that this statement was misleading.
She explained that the weight of each of the bombs amounts to 110 kilograms, saying that the Israeli army referred to the weight of the explosive material in the bombs and not the total weight.
“Precise goals”
On its website, Boeing explains that the GBU-39 CDP bombs are used against precise and fixed targets, such as command, control and communications bunkers, air defense assets, airports, oil sites, missiles and artillery.
The company also says that this type of bomb is 4 times more effective in “achieving targets” than other bombs.
It is noteworthy that the United States is the main and largest supplier of weapons to Israel, and last April, President Joe Biden signed a law granting Tel Aviv $15 billion in military aid.
Since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip on October 7, the occupation has been committing massacres with American weapons, while Washington confirms that “Israel has not crossed the red line” so far.
